understanding

[uhn-der-stan-ding]

noun

1. mental process of a person who comprehends; comprehension; personal interpretation.

   My understanding of the word does not agree with yours.

2. intellectual faculties; intelligence; mind.

   a quick understanding.

3. superior power of discernment; enlightened intelligence.

   With her keen understanding she should have become a leader.

4. knowledge of or familiarity with a particular thing; skill in dealing with or handling something.

   an understanding of accounting practice.

5. a state of cooperative or mutually tolerant relations between people.

   To him, understanding and goodwill were the supreme virtues.

6. a mutual agreement, especially of a private, unannounced, or tacit kind.

   They had an understanding about who would do the dishes.

7. an agreement regulating joint activity or settling differences, often informal or preliminary in character.

   After hours of negotiation, no understanding on a new contract was reached.

8. Philosophy.

   1. the power of abstract thought; logical power.

   2. Kantianism.,  the mental faculty resolving the sensory manifold into the transcendental unity of apperception.

adjective

1. characterized by understanding; prompted by, based on, or demonstrating comprehension, intelligence, discernment, empathy, or the like.

   an understanding attitude.

understanding

/ ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ /

noun

1. the ability to learn, judge, make decisions, etc; intelligence or sense

2. personal opinion or interpretation of a subject

   my understanding of your predicament

3. a mutual agreement or compact, esp an informal or private one

4. an unofficial engagement to be married

5. archaic,  philosophy the mind, esp the faculty of reason

6. with the condition that; providing

adjective

1. sympathetic, tolerant, or wise towards people

2. possessing judgment and intelligence

Other Word Forms

• understandingly adverb
• nonunderstanding adjective
• nonunderstandingly adverb
• self-understanding noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of understanding¹

First recorded before 1050; understand + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

A look at history going back to Hamilton’s time reveals there is no simple, static relationship between capitalism and democracy in America, but there are lessons to be learned by understanding the dynamic between them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It offers a powerful resource for pandemic preparedness, enabling deeper understanding of variant behavior and fitness.

Read more on Science Daily

Sable, the lawsuit claims, “was at best misinformed, incompetent and incorrect” when it came to understanding and adhering to the California Water Code.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Gaining a deeper understanding of these steps could help scientists develop efficient artificial systems, such as synthetic leaves and solar-based fuel technologies, that replicate nature's design.

Read more on Science Daily

They also highlight central Italy as an important region for understanding how early Europeans obtained food and raw materials.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• conclusion 
• idea 
• impression 
• interpretation 
• judgment 
• knowledge 
• meaning 
• opinion 
• perception 
• sense 
• sympathy 
• view